Networking Multiple Desktops

Question

I have 3 desktops. Two are windows 11 and one is windows 10. I need to allow each desktop to connect to the other 2. They are all connected to the same router. Using Windows Explorer I scroll down to Network, and I see all 3 desktops. I can connect to two of them and view the files on the other one, but one of them keeps telling me that I don't have permission. The suggestion is to contact the administrator of the third desktop. What exactly is it looking for ? Do I have to create an ID on each computer ? Which ID does it need ?

Answer 1

On a small Windows network like this, “You do not have permission” usually means either:

• The folder on that third desktop is not shared (or not shared with the right people), or
• The Windows account being used from the other PCs does not have NTFS permissions on that folder.

Windows is effectively asking for a user account (ID + password) that has permission on the problem desktop.

There are two common ways to make this work:

1. Use the same local account on all three PCs
   • Create (or confirm) a local user on each PC with the same username and password.
   • When prompted for credentials while accessing \\PC3\Share, enter that username and password.
   • This works because Windows treats matching local accounts as the “same” user for access checks.
2. Grant access to Everyone on the shared folder (simpler, but less secure) On the desktop that is denying access:
   1. Right‑click the folder to share → Properties → Sharing tab → Advanced Sharing.
   2. Check Share this folder, then click Permissions.
   3. Select Everyone, and under Allow, check Full Control (or at least Read).
   4. Click OK to close the dialogs.
   Then also grant NTFS permissions:
   1. In the same folder Properties, go to the Security tab.
   2. Click Edit → Add.
   3. Type Everyone in Enter the object names to select, press Enter.
   4. Select Everyone, check Allow for Full control (or the level desired).
   5. Close the dialog.
   This ensures that any user on the network can access that share without needing matching accounts, but it reduces security because all network users get access.

Additionally, if the error is exactly “You do not have permission to access \<computer>”, verify on that problem desktop:

1. The share permissions and NTFS permissions are set as above.
2. The TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is running and set to Automatic (Start → search Services → open TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper → Startup type = Automatic).

Regarding IDs:

• There is no need to create a domain or special identity system.
• Either:
  • Use matching local accounts (same username/password) on all three PCs, or
  • Use Everyone in both share and NTFS permissions on the target folder.

The “administrator of the third desktop” is simply any account on that desktop with administrative rights that can change these sharing and security settings.

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References:

• File sharing over a network in Windows
• Can't access shared folders from File Explorer in Windows 10